Pages

Monday, December 26, 2011

2011 has been a good year. It’s been a breakthrough year for
me. As the days dwindle down toward 2012, I think the words of a man who was
born 100 years before me express how I feel the most. I’ve always loved this
poem. You know it also.

The Road Not Taken

by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Thank you all for a fantastic year.
I’m looking forward to the next chapter in the adventure. Until then, good
fortune.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Although it’s cold outside, every memory I have of December is warm. Perhaps it’s because of so much time that spent indoors. Maybe it’s heat from the furnace. On the other hand, it could be that I love this time of year the most.

Winter is the Earth’s sleep. At least it feels that way to me. Nothing grows; everything just stays hidden by the weather until spring—when life returns, fuller. The nights are clearer, have you noticed? As a star watcher, I love the fact that Orion is so obvious and distinct in the winter. The Orion Nebula is one of my favorite wonders to explore.

I have memories of Christmas in many different places. Various smells, sounds, people, and tastes fill my recollection of these fanciful celebrations. No, I’m not Scrooge—wishing I had lived different and remembering Christmas as it should be. I’m happy today, and surrounded by love and family. It’s interesting, though; my favorite memory of Christmas is also the loneliest.

In 1993, I was living in Paris, serving an LDS mission. Paris is a city that’s full of life and culture—most of the year. In December, it’s rainy, sooty, cold, gray, and well—it feels empty. Similar to any large city, there are holiday decorations, and sidewalk vendors offer their offering for the season. It’s the first place I ever saw people roasting chestnuts in kettles. That was cool. Because the weather was so awful, we spent a lot of time indoors or underground. The Louvre was a favorite place to mingle and talk to people. I love art, so that was a welcome treat. I sent postcards from downstairs—they put a special Louvre stamp on every letter they mail from the post office there. Did you ever read The DaVinci Code? Well, that post office is just down the hall from the inverted pyramid, one of my favorite places to hang out at the Louvre.

But I was alone. No friends, except for the other missionaries I was assigned to live and work with. No family. There weren’t presents for me. I don’t know if any were mailed. If so, I never got them. That’s okay—remember, this is my favorite memory.

On Christmas Eve, a dozen missionaries met and sang carols at different spots in Paris. It rained, a chilled, biting rain that soaked through my jacket and pants. I caught a cold that day. We stood in front of Notre Dame sharing music with tourists and locals. We couldn’t have sounded good, but it was fun. That night, a few of us rode with a family to a celebration north of the city. It was the strangest thing—we celebrated Christmas South American style.

That was the night I learned that “Oyo Como Va” wasn’t written by Santana. It played over and over and over during the party. To this day, every time I hear that song, it reminds me of Christmas in Paris. Weird, huh? We ate, and sang, ate more, told stories, and played games. I received a white scarf as a gift. That was my only Christmas present that year. As midnight approached, we headed home.

There was a point along the road where we came over a hill and saw the most spectacular view of the City of Lights. Paris was beautiful. It was dark and wet, but every scenic spot was bright with color. I had seen Paris every night for a month, and had always enjoyed it, but I’ll never forget that view. I could see the whole city. It was an image so vivid that I still see it in my dreams. At that moment, I realized how special the day had been. I didn't get anything for Christmas, except a white scarf, and I didn't care. At that moment, while accepting the wonderful view, I felt the love and peace of a perfect child who was born to save us all.

Monday, December 5, 2011

ON FALLEN WINGS is coming. While containing my excitement until release day (January 12), I’m also starting to feel a bit of apprehension. Well, more than just a bit. Okay, a lot of apprehension. I’m downright nervous.

These are more than simple words I’m offering the world. There’s a part of me on every page. The delicate conversations between every character were carefully crafted to add realism to the narrative. I’ve placed just enough description to let the reader taste the flavor of my imagination, still allowing their mind to create the rest of the savor. ON FALLEN WINGS is an intricate story bearing the portal to a greater tale beyond its pages. Again, it’s more than the words.

I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I want everyone to love this book. Of course I do. Nevertheless, my nerves are more complicated than that. More of my hope is that its readers will appreciate what isn’t written. I want every person, whether they enjoyed my writing or not, to finish ON FALLEN WINGS and feel inspired with fresh, fantastic ideas. The story is greater than its author is, I think, and I hope I do it justice with the words I’ve chosen.

I think every writer feels this way about their books—I hope they do. It’s that passion for storytelling that drives us to work harder. This is why ON FALLEN WINGS has undergone thirteen different drafts up until now. It’s why I hired a professional editor and cover artist. It’s why I study and practice everything I can about writing. It’s why I already have outlines all the way to the end of the series (6 books). It’s why I created this blog.

I only get one chance at this and I want to do it right. Whatever happens, know that when you read ON FALLEN WINGS, you’re getting the best that I can offer you. I hope that my book inspired you enough to make you want to read it again.